There are so many reasons to like Enlightened, the great (but struggling) HBO show starring — and created by — Laura Dern and Mike White: fantastic acting; heart-rending, emotionally honest stories; comic turns that are dark and sweet as chocolate. I think it’s fair to say that, if you (for example) like the Shambhala Sun, you’ll likely find that Enlightened is a show that inhabits and illuminates a world not unlike your own.

And indeed, co-creator Mike White discusses just that in a new interview with Vulture, saying:

“I have had moments where I’ve had mental-health issues and I’ve felt like yoga and meditating and reading these Buddhist self-help books actually really help. […] I definitely feel, especially as you get older, the world is very anxiety-inducing, and the idea of trying to swim a different way, trying to be kind or trying to be compassionate or trying to get over yourself, that’s a worthy thing to work on. And it does require work. Part of me wanted Enlightened to reflect those values.”

About Rod Meade Sperry

Rod Meade Sperry is the associate editor of the Shambhala Sun and the editor of the new anthology A Beginner’s Guide to Meditation: Practical Advice and Inspiration from Contemporary Buddhist Teachers.